Appearing in court on Monday, July 9 he denied a more serious charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, which was dropped.

Dangerous driving and the law

The CPS explains the difference between dangerous driving charges on its website.

It says: "The offence of dangerous driving under section 2 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 is committed when a person's standard of driving falls far below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver and it would be obvious to a competent and careful driver that driving in that way would be dangerous.

"Dangerous driving is an either way offence carrying a level 5 fine and/or six months' custody in the magistrates' court.

"In the Crown Court, the maximum penalty is two years' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

"Wherever the case is dealt with, the court must disqualify the driver from driving for at least a year and order an extended retest."

Causing serious injury by dangerous driving

The CPS says: "The offence is committed when the manner of the defendant's driving is dangerous and results in another person suffering a serious physical injury.

"Serious injury is defined as...physical harm which amounts to grievous bodily harm for the purposes of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861."

"The offence carries a level five fine and/or six months' custody in the magistrates' court with a mandatory disqualification period of at least two years (unless special reasons are found not to disqualify) and endorsement. An extended retest is also mandatory."

What is grievous bodily harm?

"Ultimately, the assessment of harm done is a matter for the jury, applying contemporary social standards."

Mr Dollimore said: “It appears from the video of this incident that the driver made no or scant attempt to slow down behind the riders, before attempting to overtake the cyclists on a narrow road whilst there was oncoming traffic in the opposite lane.

“His lack of awareness for other road users and unwillingness to wait before overtaking when it was safe to do so begs the question, why is he being given a chance to get his licence back in two years’ time after demonstrating shockingly bad driving which could have led to more than one fatality?”

Cycling UK has long been campaigning for motorists to give cyclists enough space while overtaking.

It’s even called for changes to be made to the Highway Code.

The shocking moment the car collides with one of the cyclists

Mr Dollimore said: “It’s because of cases like this that Cycling UK have been campaigning through our Too Close for Comfort campaign to highlight the dangers of overtaking cyclists without leaving enough space.

“Options include a greater focus on vulnerable road users while people are learning to drive. They also include amendments to the Highway Code to make the rules clearer regarding the distance to leave when passing cyclists.

“One more would be a Government-led awareness campaign to highlight the dangers.

“These are amongst the things we’ve called for in response to the Government’s recent walking and cycling safety review.”

Martin Wills and the rest of the cyclists involved in the crash are still recovering from its effects.

The cyclists were left in a heap on the floor following the collision

He said: “My wife is still having treatment for a broken finger.

“Her ribs have mended and she has largely recovered from the concussion she suffered, but has been left with bad tinnitus.

“One of the other cyclists...lost part of her ear and suffered a deep cut to her leg," he claimed.

“All of us have experienced flash backs of the incident and are still spooked by cars passing close from behind."

Asked if he felt justice had been served in court, he said: “It's pretty much what we hoped for.

"Mr Tarrant is off the road so won't be a danger to other road users.”

Martin Wills and his wife Sandra in happier times

In an interview in November 2017, Mr Wills described the aftermath of the crash, with injured cyclists and wrecked bikes littered along the roadside.

He highlighted the important role of cycle helmets - which all the riders were wearing.

And he also praised people who helped, including paramedics and hospital staff.

"This sent me off balance and I fell heavily with my bike landing on top of me.

“Propping myself up, I found I was looking north along the road we had come down.

“One of the riders was lying in the road a few feet away with her wrecked bike next to her.

"Another rider, who had miraculously escaped injury, was putting my wife, who was unconscious, into the recovery position.

“A few metres beyond them, another one of the riders was lying in the road.

“Several cars had stopped and three of the occupants were first aiders, who immediately joined us attending the three prone ladies.

“As I was speaking to my wife she regained consciousness but had no recollection of what had happened or where she was.

“Two people were attending to another of the riders so I had a look at one of the other riders, who was in shock and shivering violently.

“Her bike lay behind her completely wrecked. A lady from a following car covered her with a coat and stayed monitoring her.

“I returned to my wife and within 15 minutes the ambulances and paramedics arrived.

Mr Wills said the crash highlighted the importance of wearing cycle helmets.

He said: I am not aware of the full extent of the injuries sustained. Apart from being knocked unconscious, my wife sustained a broken finger, cracked ribs, a bump on the back of her head and various bruises. I had cuts and bruises.

"Thank goodness we wear helmets."

Mr Wills praised and thanked those who helped the riders.

He said: “The emergency services did a brilliant job. The paramedics, ambulance and first aiders were all brilliant.

"Yeovil Hospital also treated us quickly, efficiently and with compassion during this stressful incident."

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